Product Description

First published in 1962 and long unavailable, "Beyond the Chains of Illusion" is, only at first glance, a book about Marx and Freud - those two intellectual giants of the 20th century. Fromm here shows himself an outstanding interpreter of Marx. In all, Fromm's re-creation of the Freudian and Marxist way of thinking is, essentially, a look at the individual and society. "Beyond the Chains of Illusion" will introduce many of today's readers to unknown aspects of Marx and Freud, as it also serves as a unique introduction to the life and mind of Erich Fromm as well. A new foreword by Fromm's "Literary Executor Rainer Funk" puts this book into historic context and high relief.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #319121 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 140 pages

About the Author
Born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Erich Fromm (1900-1980) studied sociology and psychoanalysis. In 1933, he emigrated as a member of the Frankfurt School of Social Thinkers to the United States, moved to Mexico in 1950, and spent his twilight years between 1974 and 1980 in Switzerland. His books Fear of Freedom (1941) and The Art of Loving (1956) made him famous. Other well-known books are Marx's Concept of Man, Beyond the Chains of Illusion, and The Essential Fromm.

Customer Reviews

Crowning achievement of Eric Fromm
Eric Fromm, the once popular psycho-analyst and Freudian Marxist author of classics like The Free of Freedom, The Sane Society and The Art of Loving is only just really entering into print once more.

While Fromm has written books specifically about Freud (Freud: The Greatness and Limitations of his thought) and Marx (Marx's Theory of Man), here in a single text, which I do not hesitate to call his crowning achievement Fromm introduces what he considers to be the essential thinking of each and describes their influence. It is in some ways semi-autobiographical but its aim is also to present these vital ideas to the public, professional and academic audience who formed Fromm's readership.

While it is in some ways more difficult or technical reading than the popular classic The Art of Loving, it isnt more difficult than The Fear of Freedom, Man For Himself or The Sane Society as it deals with psycho-analytical characterology and Fromm's ideas about Marx's theories of human nature and its frustration. As with all his books Fromm's prose is great and despite being dense there's a really tangible energy or passion throughout, its easy to see that Fromm is compelled to write and write from the heart. This book is a literary-theoretical book and not wholly technical like The Art of Listening, which I suspect was intended as a training manual for therapists.

There is a foreword by Rainer Funk, Fromm's literary executor, the first chapter begins with personal antecedents; proceeds to the second chapter common ground; then the concept of man and his nature; human evolution; human motivation; the sick individual and the sick society; the concept of mental health; individual and social character, the social unconscious; the fate of other theories; some related ideas and finally Fromm finishes with his credo.

Fromm's own credo is heartening and pretty demanding, leaving you wondering if he aspired to it or truely achieved it, and the book radiates, like a lot of Fromm's work, an optimistic and hopeful humanism throughout. Curiously Fromm presents disillusionment as a positive and necessary experience, conducive to growth and change for the better.

Other points of interest include explanations of trends in consumerism being closely linked to personality traits and social pressures to exhibit those traits and the idea that on a societal and economic level there is, in the developed world at least, a sort of "maturational crisis" developing. Where psycho-analysts have posited that individual failure to overcome maturational crisis results in neurosis, Fromm presents Marx's theories about business cycles and economic crisis as a corrollary in the economic sphere of life.

The only minor complaint about this book is the omission of an index for ease of reference but it is a minor complaint as the book is highly readable and you will be happy to read entire chapters in one sitting, going back and reading them again.

Miss it at your own risk!
Sorry if the summary sounds really gimmicky and silly, but that's really what I think. I'm a postgrad psychology student and I just love this book (in fact I'm rather a Fromm's fan, but that does not mean my judgement is somehow biased...). You 'think' you can 'think'? Well, do 'think' again. Read this book and it will certainly broaden your view about everything. Particularly those who need to be analytic and judgemental...